[107.05] A Near Real-Time Test Correlator for the VSOP Space VLBI Mission

We describe a near real-time test correlator for the upcoming VSOP
space VLBI mission. The correlator will be used as an additional
debugging tool for the VSOP satellite in its in-orbit checkout period
before astronomical observations begin.

The correlator is a PC-based system which will acquire digitized
signals from a test radio source using the VSOP satellite and the
140-foot telescope located in Green Bank, WV as a single baseline
interferometer. Once the signals have been acquired, the data will
then be correlated using digital signal processing hardware so that
feedback about the state of the spacecraft can be presented quickly to
the satellite operations group.

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: crawford@maggie.mit.edu